The Tahquamenon River was
made famous in the Longfellow poem Hiawatha. According to Indian
lore, the origin of the name Tahquamenon is attributed to the water's
amber color, which is a result of the leaching of tannic acid from
the cedar and hemlock swamps. The Tahquamenon is special in many
ways. One little known fact is that it is the largest waterfall,
second in size to Niagara, east of the Mississippi.

One favorite leisure time activity for Jack and Mimi Barrett,
grandparents of the current owners, was to make frequent trips
canoeing, portaging and camping as they traversed their way from
their home in Newberry along the river to the falls.

Their love for the area compelled them to purchase the land
adjacent to the falls. All the while, Jack dreamed of a time when the
Tahquamenon Falls and forest could be made available for all to
experience. Up to this point in time, mid 20th century, the falls
were inaccessible except by boat. When the time was right, he
orchestrated the construction of a road to the site and then
negotiated with the Department of Natural Resources for the sale of
his land to be used specifically for a State Park. A restriction in
the deed directed that the road and parking lot would terminate 3/4
of a mile from the falls and that visitors would proceed on foot,
thus preserving the park's natural beauty and virgin forest.

So what exactly is Camp 33? Logging camps were often given
numbers rather than names and this camp rightfully received the name
Camp 33 as it was the 33rd logging camp the Barrett Logging Company
was to construct. In 1950 a replica of a logging camp was constructed
under the watchful eye of Jack Barrett; it was to serve the public as
an eating and resting place.

In 1990, Lark and Barrett Ludlow, the grandchildren of Jack and
Mimi Barrett rebuilt Camp 33 and dedicated the new structures to the
man whose foresight and philanthropy made possible the experience we
all enjoy today. In 1996, the Brewery and Pub were built in keeping
with the founder's vision. The focal point of all structures is the
fire... a logging camp must! The warmth of the fire can now be
enjoyed in all seasons.